Flexible container and method of making the same

ABSTRACT

A flexible container comprising at least two flexible walls sealed together at one or more seal areas to form a container compartment and a handle portion is provided. The handle portion includes an aperture and an unsealed edge adjacent the aperture and distal the container compartment. The aperture and the unsealed edge are surrounded by a first seal area of the one or more seal areas. A method of making a flexible container is also provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/330,365, filed Jan. 6, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to flexible containers, and in particular, a flexible self-supporting container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Rigid containers holding liquid volumes of about 1 gallon are commonly used to provide multiple servings of a beverage in catering or restaurant carry-out applications. However, shipping and storage of these containers requires a large amount of space. In addition, storage of these empty containers may result in their being opened and their interiors being contaminated before being filled with a beverage at a catering or restaurant facility.

Though flexible pouches can be folded or compressed during storage, commonly available flexible stand-up liquid pouches typically hold less than half a gallon of liquid. Handling of these pouches when filled with a liquid usually is not problematic, as they are relatively light (e.g., 2 to 4 lbs.). However, larger flexible stand-up liquid pouches (e.g., 1 gallon capacity pouches) may have a tendency to fall over without an external support (e.g., cardboard box, as in bag-in-box applications), may be difficult to carry and handle, or may not be as durable due to the increased weight of the filled pouch (e.g., about 8.5 lbs).

It is therefore desirable to provide multi-serving containers for catering and restaurant applications which avoid one or more of the aforementioned disadvantages and deficiencies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure provides a flexible container comprising at least two walls sealed together at one or more seal areas to form a container compartment and a handle portion is provided. The handle portion includes an aperture and an unsealed edge adjacent the aperture and distal the container compartment. The aperture and the unsealed edge are surrounded by a first seal area of the one or more seal areas.

This disclosure also provides a method for making a flexible container. The method includes providing a first film portion comprising a first aperture, providing a second film portion comprising a second aperture, positioning the first film portion adjacent to the second film portion such that the first aperture and the second aperture are in registry, and sealing the first film portion to the second film portion at one or more seal areas to form a container compartment and a handle portion. The handle portion includes an aperture comprising the first aperture and the second aperture and an unsealed edge adjacent the aperture and distal the container compartment. The aperture and the unsealed edge are surrounded by a first seal area of the one or more seal areas.

Other objects, features, and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description, drawing, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIGS. 1A-B are perspective views of a flexible container 10 made in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, respectively empty and filled with a liquid. FIGS. 1C-D are a side view and a bottom view, respectively, of the filled flexible container 10 made in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a multilayer polymer film 40 of which the flexible container 10 in FIGS. 1A-D may be made.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 60 for making a flexible container in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a film sheet 70 including a first film portion 72, a second film portion 74, and a third film portion 80 made in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

As summarized above, this disclosure encompasses a flexible container and a method for making a flexible container. Embodiments of the flexible container and the method for making the flexible container are described below and illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. FIGS. 1A-D illustrate a flexible container 10 made in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The flexible container 10 comprises three flexible walls including two side walls 12, 14 and a bottom wall 16, seal areas 18, 20, 22, 24, a container compartment 26, a handle portion 28 including an aperture 30 and an unsealed edge 32, and a spout assembly 34. In alternative embodiments (not shown), the flexible container 10 may include two, four, five, or more flexible walls. As seen in FIGS. 1C-D, the bottom wall 16 comprises a gusset. In alternate embodiments (not shown), the bottom wall 16 may be flat or have any other suitable shape. In one embodiment, the bottom wall (i.e., base or gusset) may have a gusset width ranging from about 5 inches to about 10 inches to allow the flexible container to be self supporting but not too large to be carried by a consumer.

It should be understood, however, that the dimensions of the walls 12, 14, 16, of the flexible container may be varied according to the capacity requirements for various embodiments.

Suitable materials for use in embodiments of the two side walls 12, 14 and the bottom wall 16 include, but are not limited to, nylon (e.g., biaxially oriented nylon), polyethylene (e.g., linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and high density polyethylene (HDPE)), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), cellophane, polylactic acid (PLA), metallocene LLDPE (mLLDPE) or combinations thereof. According to particular embodiments, the walls 12, 14, 16 comprise a material having a tensile strength ranging from about 10,000 psi to about 40,000 psi. In other embodiments, the walls 12, 14, 16 comprise a material having a tensile strength ranging from about 12,000 psi to about 30,000 psi. In still other embodiments, the walls 12, 14, 16 comprise a material having a tensile strength ranging from about 15,000 psi to about 25,000 psi.

In particular embodiments, the two side walls 12, 14 and the bottom wall 16 each comprise a multilayer polymer film (e.g., an adhesive laminated film, a coextruded film, or an extruded laminated film). An embodiment of a multilayer polymer film 40 of which the flexible container 10 is made is illustrated in FIG. 2. The multilayer polymer film 40 is a laminated film that includes a sealant layer 42 (e.g., sealant film), a middle layer 44 (e.g., core layer), and an outer layer 46.

The sealant layer 42 comprises a coextruded film including a first layer 48 (i.e., outside layer) comprising a 50/50 weight ratio blend of mLLDPE and LLDPE, a second layer 50 (i.e., core layer) comprising a 42/58 weight ratio blend of HDPE and LLDPE, and a third layer 52 (i.e., inside layer) comprising a 70/30 weight ratio blend of HDPE and LLDPE. The sealant layer 42 facilitates heat sealing of the walls 12, 14, 16 together. The sealant layer 42 of each of the walls may be suitably sealed together by other sealing methods, as described in more detail below in reference to methods for making a flexible container. In alternate embodiments, the sealant layer 42 may comprise any of the materials suitable for use in the walls 12, 14, 16 as described above.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first layer 48 has a thickness of about 1.325 mils, the second layer 50 has a thickness of about 3 mils, and the third layer 52 has a thickness of about 1.325 mils. In certain embodiments, the sealant layer 42 may have a thickness ranging from about 3 mils to about 8 mils. In other particular embodiments, the sealant layer 42 may have a thickness ranging from about 5 mils to about 7 mils. In still other particular embodiments, the sealant layer 42 may have a thickness ranging from about 5.5 mils to about 6.5 mils.

The middle layer 44 of the multilayer polymer film 40 comprises biaxially oriented nylon and is adjacent to the third layer 52 of the sealant layer 42. The middle layer 44 is attached to the sealant layer 40 with an adhesive. The middle layer 44 provides additional burst strength to the container walls 12, 14, 16. In alternate embodiments, the middle layer 44 may comprise any of the materials suitable for use in the walls 12, 14, 16 as described above. In certain embodiments, the middle layer 44 may have a thickness ranging from about 0.4 mils to about 2.0 mils. In other embodiments, the middle layer 44 may have a thickness ranging from about 0.48 mils to about 1.2 mils. In still other embodiments, the middle layer 44 may have a thickness ranging from about 0.6 mils to about 0.8 mils.

The outer layer 46 of the multilayer polymer film 40 comprises PET and is adjacent to the middle layer 44. In an alternate embodiment (not shown), the outer layer 46 may comprise coated polyester (e.g., aluminum oxide coated polyester), nylon, PP, or combinations thereof. In other embodiments, the outer layer 46 may comprise any of the materials suitable for use in the walls 12, 14, 16 as described above and may serve as a printing layer. In particular embodiments, the outer layer 46 may have a thickness ranging from about 0.32 mils to about 2.0 mils. In other particular embodiments, the outer layer 46 may have a thickness ranging from about 0.36 mils to about 0.92 mils. In still other particular embodiments, the outer layer 46 may have a thickness ranging from about 0.48 mils to about 0.75 mils.

In alternate embodiments, the multilayer polymer film comprises a PET layer, a PE layer, and a nylon layer disposed between the PET layer and the PE layer. In other alternate embodiments, the multilayer polymer film comprises a first PE layer, a second PE layer, and a nylon layer disposed between the first PE layer and the second PE layer. In should be understood that in alternate embodiments, the multilayer film may comprise any combination of the aforementioned materials to provide any combination of characteristics such as burst strength, barrier properties, tear properties, stiffness, secant modulus, tensile resistance, puncture resistance, and use as a printing layer.

It also should be understood that in alternate embodiments, the walls 12, 14, 16 and the layers of a multilayer film, may comprise one, two, three, five, or more different layers. According to particular embodiments, the walls 12, 14, 16 may have a total thickness ranging from about 5.5 mils to about 11.0 mils. In other embodiments, the walls 12, 14. 16 may have a total thickness ranging from about 5.75 mils to about 8.25 mils. In still other embodiments, the walls 12, 14, 16 may have a total thickness ranging from about 6.5 mils to about 7.5 mils. However, it should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the total thicknesses of the walls may be varied depending on factors including, but not limited to, the capabilities and limitations of the equipment used to produce the film and the flexible container.

Referring again to FIGS. 1A-D, it can be seen that the two side walls 12 and 14 are sealed together along the top edge and one side edge of the flexible container 10 at a first seal area 18. The two side walls 12 and 14 are also sealed together at a second seal area 20 along another side edge of the flexible container 10. Side wall 12 is sealed to the gusset 16 at a third seal area 22 and side wall 14 is sealed to the gusset 16 at a fourth seal area 24. In one embodiment, the three walls 12, 14, 16 are heat sealed together at seal areas 18, 20, 22, 24. As used herein, the term “seal” refers to any seal of a first region of a first film portion to a second region of a second film portion. Suitable seals include, but are not limited to, lap seals, fin seals, butt seals, and the like,

The flexible container 10 should have sufficient burst strength so as to pass industry standard tests, for example. The seal areas 18, 20, 22, 24 should have sufficient seal strength so as to resist separation of the walls 12, 14, 16 at the seal areas during storage, transport, and use of the flexible container 10. In particular embodiments, the seal areas 18, 20, 22, 24 have a seal strength ranging from about 5,000 grams per one linear inch (g/inch) to about 25.000 g/inch. In other particular embodiments, the seal areas 18, 20, 22, 24 have a seal strength ranging from about 7,500 g/inch to about 20,000 g/inch. In still other particular embodiments, the seal areas 18, 20, 22, 24 have a seal strength ranging from about 10,000 g/inch to about 18,000 g/inch.

For instance, in one embodiment, the seal areas 18, 20, 22, 24 and the walls 12, 14, 16 have sufficient burst strength and seal strength such that the flexible container 10 may be filled to a 1 gallon capacity (i.e., a total weight of about 8 lbs) and then be dropped from a height of three feet without the walls bursting or separating at the seal areas. In such an instance, the seal areas 18, 20, 22, and 24 may also have a configuration and strength such that the flexible container 10 can stand upright in a refrigerator for at least about 4 hours. A suitable configuration for such an embodiment of the flexible container 10 includes a gusset 16 having a skirt comprising seal areas 22, 24 having a width measured from the bottom of each side wall to the bottom of the container compartment 26 of about ¼ inch. Thus, particular embodiments of the flexible container 10 is self-supporting (i.e., a stand-up pouch).

In other embodiments, the seal areas 22 and 24 may have a width ranging from about 0.06 inches to about 1 inches. In still other embodiments, the seal areas 22 and 24 may have a width ranging from about 0.38 inches to about 0.63 inches.

In one embodiment, the container compartment 26 is capable of holding from about 0.75 gallons to about 1.5 gallons of a liquid. In another embodiment, the container compartment 26 is capable of holding at least about 1 gallon of a liquid.

As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the handle portion 28 is located in the first seal area 18 and includes an aperture 30, or a handle, for carrying the flexible container 10. The aperture 30 may have any shape which allows at least a portion of a consumer's fingers or hand to use the aperture as a handle. The aperture 30 in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1A-D is located approximately at the about the midpoint of the length of the first seal area 18. The central placement of the aperture 30 distributes the weight of the liquid contained in the container compartment evenly through the first seal area 18. However, in alternate embodiments, the aperture 30 may be positioned elsewhere in the first seal area 18 or in other seal areas. Though FIGS. 1A-D show one aperture 30, it should be understood that in other embodiments, the handle portion 28 may include two, three, or more apertures.

The handle portion 28 also includes an unsealed edge 32 adjacent to the aperture 30. The embodiment of the unsealed edge 32 illustrated in FIGS. 1A-D is positioned away from, or distal, the container compartment 26 and extends along a portion of the length of the aperture 30. In particular embodiments, the unsealed edge 32 has a width measured from the aperture 30 to the first seal area 18 ranging from about 1 mm to about 8 mm. In still other embodiments, the unsealed edge 32 has a width measured from the aperture 30 to the first seal area 18 ranging from about 1 mm to about 6 mm. In yet other embodiments, the unsealed edge 32 has a width measured from the aperture 30 to the first seal area 18 ranging from about 1.5 mm to about 3 mm.

In alternate embodiments, the unsealed edge 32 may extend along more or less of the edge of the aperture 30, including the sides of the aperture or the whole circumference of the aperture. However, as explained in further detail below, embodiments of the unsealed edge 32 extending along at least a portion of the aperture 30 distal the container compartment 26 desirably provide a less rigid top edge of the handle. According to an embodiment, the unsealed edge 32 extends along at least a portion of the top edge or weight bearing portion 33 of the handle 28 when the container is being hand carried.

The aperture 30 and the unsealed edge 32 are surrounded by the first seal area 18. The first seal area 18 extends from the aperture 30 away from the container compartment 26 a distance such that the first seal area has at least enough strength to allow the flexible container 10 to be filled with a liquid and be carried by the handle without the first seal area tearing as a result of the weight of the liquid. To that end, the first seal area 18 extends at least about 0.5 inches from the aperture 30 in a direction away from the container compartment 26. In other embodiments, the first seal area 18 extends at least about 0.75 inches from the aperture 30 in a direction away from the container compartment 26. In still other embodiments, the first seal area 18 extends at least about 1 inch from the aperture 30 in a direction away from the container compartment 26.

The unsealed edge 32 provides a less rigid portion of the handle portion 28 which reduces the load on a consumer's fingers or hand resulting from the weight of the liquid in the container compartment 26 causing the first seal area 18 to be pulled against and/or into a consumer's fingers or hand when carrying the flexible container 10. As compared to a first Gurley Stiffness of the first seal area 18, the unsealed edge 32 has a second Gurley Stiffness less than the first Gurley Stiffness. In particular embodiments, the unsealed edge 32 has a Gurley stiffness about 30% to about 95% less than a Gurley Stiffness of the first seal area 18. In other particular embodiments, the unsealed edge 32 has a Gurley stiffness about 40% to about 85% less than a Gurley Stiffness of the first seal area 18. In still other particular embodiments, the unsealed edge 32 has a Gurley stiffness about 50% to about 80% less than a Gurley Stiffness of the first seal area 18. In yet other particular embodiments, the unsealed edge 32 has a Gurley stiffness about 60% to about 75% less than a Gurley Stiffness of the first seal area 18.

The flexible container 10 also includes a spout assembly 34 comprising a spout fitment sealed between the two side walls 12, 14 and a cap. The spout assembly 34 is positioned at a top corner of the flexible container 10 and allows liquid to be poured from the spout fitment by tilting the flexible container 10 while gripping the handle 30, side walls 12, 14, and/or bottom 16 of the flexible container. For instance, pouring a liquid out of the spout fitment of embodiments of the flexible container 10 having a handle 30 positioned at about the midpoint of the length of the first seal area 18, can be facilitated by gripping the handle 30 and the bottom 16 of the flexible container. In some embodiments, the spout assembly 34 may comprise a tamper-evident screw cap closure. In other embodiments, the spout assembly 34 may comprise a fitment having an opening diameter of at least about 38 mm to allow for easy of filling of and pouring from the flexible container 10. It should be understood that any other suitable spout or opening known to those skilled in the art may also used as an alternative to the spout assembly 34.

FIG. 3 illustrates a method 60 for making a flexible container. The flexible container may be similar to the flexible containers described above.

In the first step 62, a first film portion comprising a first aperture is provided. Suitable techniques for providing the first aperture in the first film portion include die cutting or any other techniques known to those skilled in the art.

The second step 64 comprises providing a second film portion comprising a second aperture. Suitable techniques for providing the second aperture in the second film portion include die cutting or any other techniques known to those skilled in the art.

The third step 66 comprises positioning the first film portion adjacent to the second film portion such that the first aperture and the second aperture are in registry. Suitable techniques for positioning the first film portion adjacent to the second film portion such that the first aperture and the second aperture are in registry may be any of the known techniques in the art.

The fourth step 68 comprises sealing the first film portion to the second film portion at one or more seal areas to form a container compartment and a handle portion. The handle portion formed comprises an aperture and an unsealed edge adjacent the aperture and distal the container compartment. The aperture comprises the first aperture and the second aperture. The aperture and the unsealed edge are surrounded by a first seal area of the one or more seal areas. Suitable techniques for sealing the first film portion to the second film portion include, but are not limited to, any of the suitable methods known to those skilled in the art such as heating sealing using a heated bar, hot air, hot wire, or infrared radiation, ultrasonic sealing, radio frequency sealing, laser sealing, or the application of cold or hot melt adhesives, and the like. For example, the seal may be formed by heating regions of the first film portion and the second film portion to at least their respective seal initiation temperatures.

In particular embodiments, heat sealing of the film portions is carried out at a temperature ranging from about 200° F. to about 500° F. It should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the particular heat sealing temperatures used may depend on factors including, but not limited to, the heat sealing machine used, the particular heat sealing die, and the type of film being sealed. Likewise, one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the pressures and dwell times used during heat sealing may depend on factors including, but not limited to, the heat sealing machine used, the particular heat sealing die, and the type of film being sealed.

In alternate embodiments (not shown), the method 60 may further comprise a fifth step of attaching a spout assembly to the first film portion, the second film portion, or both. For instance, a spout assembly may be sealed between the first film portion or the second film portion such that it is in fluid communication with the container compartment.

In alternate embodiments, the method 60 may further comprise providing a third film portion, a fourth film portion, or more film portions. For example, the method 60 may further comprise providing a third film portion, where the third film portion comprises a gusset. In such an example, the fourth step 68 of the method 60 may further comprise sealing the first film portion and the second film portion to the gusset to form a bottom wall of the flexible container. Suitable techniques for sealing the first film portion and the second film portion to the gusset include the sealing methods described above in reference to the fourth step 68 of the method 60.

In certain embodiments, the first film portion, the second film portion, the third film portions, and additional film portions may be provided so that they are integral on a film sheet. An embodiment of such a film sheet 70 is illustrated in FIG. 4. Film sheet 70 includes a first film portion 72, a second film portion 74, which mirrors the first film portion, and a third film portion 80. The first film portion 72 includes a first aperture 76 and the second film portion 74 includes a second aperture 78. In such embodiments of the method 60 of making the flexible container, the third step 66 may comprise folding the film sheet 70 such the first film portion 72 is adjacent to the second film portion 74 and the first aperture 76 and the second aperture 78 are in registry. The third step 68 may further comprise folding the third film portion 80 to form a gusset between the first film portion 72 and the second film portion 74.

Thus, the fourth step 68 of this embodiment of the method 60 may comprise sealing the first film portion 72 to the second film portion 74 and sealing the third film portion 80 to both the first film portion 72 and the second film portion 74. For instance, sealing regions 82 a, 84 a, 86 a, 88 a may be sealed to matching sealing regions 82 b, 84 b, 86 b, 88 b, respectively, to form seal areas. In this embodiment, the unsealed edge extends around the circumference of the aperture of the flexible container. In addition, the first film portion 72, the second film portion 74, and the third film portion 80 may also include unsealed regions 90 a, 90 b, 90 c, which minimize the amount of distortion of the material in the seal areas joining the third film portion 80 to first film portion 72 and the second film portion 74. Opening regions 92 a and 92 b on the first film portion 72 and the second film portion 74 are also provided on the film sheet 70 to allow a spout assembly to be sealed between the first film portion and the second film portion.

As described herein, the embodiments of the flexible container comprise a design and polymer materials with characteristics that, when used in conjunction with each other, have a combined effect of providing good barrier properties, burst strength, and stiffness so that the flexible container, when filled with large quantities of liquid, is self-supporting and is suitable for transport and use by a consumer. For instance, in embodiments where HDPE is included in the multilayer polymer film, the HDPE increases the stiffness and burst strength of the multilayer polymer film. In embodiments where biaxially oriented nylon is included in the multilayer polymer film, the nylon increases the good impact resistance and burst strength of the multilayer polymer film. In embodiments where LLDPE is included in the multilayer polymer film, the LLDPE increases the good strength and elongation of the multilayer polymer film. In embodiments where mLLDPE is included in the multilayer polymer film, the mLLDPE increases the good sealing properties of the multilayer polymer film.

Another embodiment is further illustrated below in the example which is not to be construed in any way as imposing limitations upon the scope of this disclosure. On the contrary, it is to be clearly understood that resort may be had to various other embodiments, modifications, and equivalents thereof which, after reading the description therein, may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of this disclosure and the appended claims.

EXAMPLE

An embodiment of a flexible container was made by aligning a first film portion to a second film portion such that apertures on each film portion were in registry. A third film portion was folded to form a gusset between the first film portion and the second film portion, distal the apertures. The first film portion, second film portion, and third film portion were integrally provided on a film sheet. The film sheet was a laminated film comprising a sealant layer, a middle layer, and an outer layer. The sealant layer included a 1.325 mil coextruded film including a first layer comprising a 70/30 weight ratio blend of HDPE and LLDPE, a second layer comprising a 42/58 weight ratio blend of HDPE and LLDPE, and a third layer 52 comprising a 50/50 weight ratio blend of mLLDPE and LLDPE. The middle layer comprised a 3 mil biaxially oriented nylon film and the outer layer comprised a 1.375 mil PET film. The first film portion, the second film portion, and the gusset were heat sealed together to form a container compartment with about a 1 gallon capacity. The heat sealing of the film portions was carried out at a temperature of about 200° to about 500° F. a pressure of about 6 kgf/cm² and a dwell time of about 1 second on a Totani machine.

The flexible container was self-supporting and had a gusset width of about 305 mm and a height of about 290 mm. The handle was positioned at about the midpoint of the length of the top seal area. The top seal area extended about 1 inch from the handle in a direction distal the container compartment. A spout assembly was also sealed between the top corners of the first film portion and the second film portion.

It should be understood that the foregoing relates to particular embodiments and that numerous changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of this disclosure as defined from the following claims. 

1. A flexible container comprising: at least two walls sealed together at one or more seal areas to form a container compartment; and a handle portion comprising, an aperture; and an unsealed edge adjacent the aperture and distal the container compartment, wherein the aperture and the unsealed edge are surrounded by a first seal area of the one or more seal areas.
 2. The flexible container of claim 1, wherein the first seal area has a first Gurley Stiffness and the unsealed edge has a second Gurley Stiffness less than the first Gurley Stiffness.
 3. The flexible container of claim 2, wherein the second Gurley Stiffness is about 30% to about 95% less than the first Gurley Stiffness.
 4. The flexible container of claim 2, wherein the second Gurley Stiffness is about 40% to about 85% less than the first Gurley Stiffness.
 5. The flexible container of claim 1, wherein the first seal area extends at least about 0.75 inches from the aperture in a direction away from the container compartment.
 6. The flexible container of claim 1, wherein the first seal area extends at least about 1 inch from the aperture in a direction away from the container compartment.
 7. The flexible container of claim 1, wherein the container compartment is capable of holding from about 0.75 gallons to about 1.5 gallons of a liquid.
 8. The flexible container of claim 1, wherein the container compartment is capable of holding at least about 1 gallon of a liquid.
 6. The flexible container of claim 1, wherein one or more of the at least two walls comprises a nylon layer.
 7. The flexible container of claim 6, wherein the nylon layer has a thickness ranging from about 0.4 mils to about 2.0 mils.
 8. The flexible container of claim 1, wherein one or more of the at least two walls comprises a multilayer polymer film.
 9. The flexible container of claim 8, wherein the multilayer polymer film comprises an adhesive laminated film.
 10. The flexible container of claim 9, wherein the multilayer polymer film comprises a first layer including a blend of high density polyethylene and linear low density polyethylene, a second layer including nylon, and a third layer including polyethylene terephthalate, and wherein the second layer is disposed between the first layer and the third layer.
 11. The flexible container of claim 10, wherein the first layer further comprises metallocene linear low density polyethylene.
 12. The flexible container of claim 10, wherein the nylon comprises biaxially oriented nylon.
 13. The flexible container of claim 1, wherein the at least two walls comprises two side walls and a bottom wall, and wherein the bottom wall comprises a gusset joining the two side walls.
 14. The flexible container of claim 1, wherein the at least two walls are heat sealed together at the one or more seal areas.
 15. A method for making a flexible container comprising: providing a first film portion comprising a first aperture; providing a second film portion comprising a second aperture; positioning the first film portion adjacent to the second film portion such that the first aperture and the second aperture are in registry; and sealing the first film portion to the second film portion at one or more seal areas to form a container compartment and a handle portion, the handle portion comprising, an aperture comprising the first aperture and the second aperture, and an unsealed edge adjacent the aperture and distal the container compartment, wherein the aperture and the unsealed edge are surrounded by a first seal area of the one or more seal areas.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first seal area has a first Gurley Stiffness and the unsealed edge has a second Gurley Stiffness less than the first Gurley Stiffness.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the second Gurley Stiffness is about 30% to about 95% less than the first Gurley Stiffness.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the first seal area extends at least about 1 inch from the unsealed edge in a direction away from the aperture.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein the container compartment is capable of holding at least about 1 gallon of a liquid.
 20. The method of claim 15, wherein at least one of first film portion and the second film portion is a multilayer polymer film comprises a first layer including a blend of high density polyethylene and linear low density polyethylene, a second layer including nylon, and a third layer including polyethylene terephthalate, and wherein the second layer is disposed between the first layer and the third layer.
 21. The method of claim 15, wherein the first film portion and the second film portion are integral on a film sheet, and wherein the step of positioning comprises folding the film sheet such the first film portion is adjacent to the second film portion and the first aperture and the second aperture are in registry.
 22. The method of claim 15, further comprising providing a third film portion, the third film portion comprising a gusset, and sealing the first film portion and the second film portion at the gusset to form a bottom wall of the flexible container.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the first film portion, the second film portion, and the gusset are integral on a film sheet such that the gusset is positioned between the first film portion and the second film portion distal the first aperture and the second aperture, and wherein the step of positioning comprises folding the film sheet such the first film portion is adjacent to the second film portion and the first aperture and the second aperture are in registry.
 24. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of sealing comprises heat sealing. 